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HelixTalk Episode #85 - Sharp Updates from the Needle World: Vaccination Updates of 2018

Date posted: October 9, 2018, 6:00 am

In this episode, we discuss vaccine related updates with our vaccine expert, Dr. Lauren Angelo. The updates discussed in this episode include the new shingles vaccine, the variety of influenza vaccines on the market, and several other updates.


Key Concepts

  1. The new Shingrix vaccine is an inactivated, two-dose series vaccine recommended for patients 50 years or older to prevent shingles.  Shingrix has largely replaced Zostavax given its superior efficacy to prevent shingles.
  2. The ACIP guidelines for influenza vaccination do not have a preferred influenza vaccine type as long as the vaccine is age-appropriate -- live vs. inactivated, trivalent vs. quadrivalent, high-dose vs. standard-dose (even in elderly), adjuvanted vs. not adjuvanted.
  3. SIRVA (shoulder injury related to vaccine administration) is an adverse effect associated with improper vaccination administration.  In many cases, the vaccine is given too high into the deltoid.  For most patients, injection should be given in the thickest, most central portion of the deltoid muscle.

References

Post-Episode Update